Dear Friends of the JCC’s Jewish & Israeli Film Series,

Hello! I’m Stephanie Bennett, the new coordinator of the Film Series. I am taking over for Monica Friess who led the series for the past eight years …

As we embark on our 24th season, we want to thank you for your support. The festival continues to be a success because of the generosity of its sponsors. We are truly grateful. We hope that we can count on your support again this year.

This year we are presenting a diverse array of films, including two children’s programs that are made possible by a grant from Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. It is also important to thank the Lehigh Valley Arts Council for its role as administrators of this grant opportunity.

Did you know that Curious George and Paddington Bear have Jewish roots? On February 7 we will present Monkey Business: The Adventures of Curious George’s Creators. Narrated by Sam Waterston, the film tells the story of Hans and Margret Rey, a Jewish couple who fled the Nazis and carried hidden with them the manuscript for what would become one of the best loved children’s books of all time. On March 20 we will show Nicky’s Family, which recounts how philanthropist Sir Nicholas Winton arranged safe passage for 669 Jewish children from Prague to England at the outset of WWII. This kindertransport served as inspiration for author Michael Bond, who based the beloved Paddington Bear character on children arriving in England awaiting placement in new homes. On the Sundays following these films, PJ Library will host family events that will include screenings of a Curious George cartoon and the Paddington Bear film respectively.

Our main series will include presentations of: Heading Home: The Tale of Team Israel. This documentary charts the underdog journey of Israel's national baseball team competing for the first time in the World Baseball Classic. After years of defeat, Team Israel is finally ranked among the world's best in 2017, eligible to compete in the prestigious international tournament. My Hero Brother is part of a special presentation to recognize people with disabilities. In this documentary, a group of young Israeli adults with Down Syndrome travel to the Himalayas with their siblings. An Act of Defiance. In this riveting historical drama, 10 political activists (including Nelson Mandela and his inner circle of Black and Jewish supporters) face a possible death sentence for conspiracy to commit sabotage after they are arrested by the apartheid South African government during a raid in the town of Rivonia during the summer of 1963. The Cousin, a film about the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict which explores the gulf between talking about cultural harmony and following through when faced with a fearful, prejudiced and accusing community. The Testament is a gripping film about a man named Yoel, a meticulous historian leading a significant debate against holocaust deniers, who discovers that his mother carries a false identity. Wrestling Jerusalem is a film adaptation of a one- person play that explores the Israeli–Palestinian conflict as well as wider themes about identity and social division. It will be presented in partnership with Muhlenberg’s IJCU and will feature a panel discussion.

Please find the enclosed sponsorship information. Your generosity means everything to us and we thank you very much for your continued support.

Stephanie Bennett Dan Poresky Film Series Coordinator Film Chair 610-435-3571, ext. 141 [email protected]